Ball, who was ticketed for trespassing in May during the Mifflin St. block party; assaulted by five males at 2:15 a.m. Aug. 1; subsequently criticized for being out that late with the football season so near; and then labeled in two reports by TMZ as an active participant in a July fight involving several UW players, was voted one of the team's six captains."My support for him never wavered in anything that happened," redshirt junior center Travis Frederick, who was also voted a captain, said after practice Wednesday. "I think that is the general feeling throughout the team."

Ball, a senior, has consistently denied he was involved in the July fight. The Madison Police Department, which is investigating both incidents, has said Ball was not involved.

"That is why I love this team," said Ball, adding he did not vote for himself. "That is why I call them my family and I am really glad that I came back.

"Because they all understand the situations and are mature enough to let them go and continue on to success."

Ball, Taylor, Borland and Frederick appear to be obvious choices, largely because of their on-field performances.

Ball tied the NCAA record for touchdowns in a season with 39 (33 rushing and six receiving) as a junior, finished with 1,923 rushing yards and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

He came back for his senior season for several reasons, including the opportunity to be a captain.

"You are a captain forever," he said.

Taylor and Borland finished 1-2 in the Big Ten Conference in tackles with 150 and 143, respectively.

Both players have overcome serious injuries. Taylor missed the final six games of the 2009 season after suffering a knee injury. Borland missed the final 10 games of the 2010 season after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 3.

Borland acknowledged he expected to be named a captain because of his contributions to the team and how he conducts himself on and off the field.

Taylor acknowledged, after a bit of prodding, he voted for himself.

"With that comes responsibility," he said. "I voted for myself because I believe I can be a good captain and a good leader. I believe guys can see the same thing."

Frederick has 17 total starts, 13 at guard and four at center. He started two games at center as a freshman in 2009 before suffering a serious ankle injury. He was limited to five games that season but started the final two games at left guard and prepared earlier this summer to be a more vocal leader.

"I knew I needed to be a leader in our particular group," he said. "I think classically the offensive line takes lead of the offense as a whole, so it kind of fell into place."

The selections of Wagner and Johnson are more intriguing

Wagner, a former walk-on from West Allis Hale High School, has played both tackle spots and is considered one of the top offensive linemen in the nation.

However, Wagner generally is viewed as a quiet, introverted personality who handles his business with little fanfare.

"That's another way to lead," Wagner said. "I think the team might need that."

"Honestly there are so many leaders on this team, guys who have played so much football," said Johnson, a zoology major who started 12 games last season. "There could have been any one of 15 people they selected."

The selection of Ball reaffirmed how he is viewed by his teammates.

"We know who Montee is," Taylor said, "and the type of person he is and the type of character he has."